Peace on Earth : Pacem in Terris by Pope John XXIII

This is the last of Pope John XXIII's Encyclical letters, addressing the usual audience of Bishops, Archbishops, etc., and uncommon for such letters, “all men of good will”, in 1963, two months before his death. Demonstrating the comprehensive understanding of the complexities of humanity, the Pope explains the necessity for a rule of law in all lands; an authority ordained by the Lord undertaken by followers, that protects rather than quells individual freedoms; It speaks of natural law, of the civil rights for, and reciprocal duties of, each individual necessary to establish and maintain world peace. It describes a duty to assume leadership roles, that legislative bodies may be spiritually influenced from within. It speaks of an obligation to pursue knowledge and employ it toward universal good. Included here also, is a collection of black and white photographs depicting a spectrum of people around the world enjoying their rights to work, to social security in old age, to gather with family, and much more.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: OVERSIZE BX 1793 .A253 1964
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Tracie Hall, Serials & Acquisitions Librarian, Law Library
Rating: Recommended

Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle

Much more than an observation of gang life in East Los Angeles, this moving book by Boyle, a Jesuit priest, presents something far deeper than anecdotes from serving gang members. It is about what it means to be human, to be loved and to show love, and to exhibit practical Christianity. The stories that deal with compassion are especially thought provoking and deeply meaningful, and yet this book often seems to have a down-to-earth, practical, positive outlook (even though Boyle has buried more than 150 young people from gang violence).

Leatherby Libraires Call Number: BV 4517 .B665 2010
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Andrew Tessandori, Cataloging Assistant, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy

In typical Maeve Binchy style Minding Frankie weaves the lives of many characters together as they raise a motherless little girl. With her sense of humor she addresses alcoholism and the hold it has on the young father as he looks to family and friends for support. My favorite character is a long lost American cousin who brings positive and encouraging changes to all those she meets in this close knit Irish community.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton
1st Floor McNaughton Collection
Review submitted by: Linda Mueller, Administrative Assistant / Philosophy and Religious Studies
Rating: Highly Recommended

Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs

This 2010 novel is one in a series featuring the cast of characters surrounding the forensic anthropology Temperance (Tempe) Brennan, who is usually found dividing her time between Montreal and her native North Carolina: the Fox television series “Bones” is based upon the character of Tempe at a younger age. The rather intriguing plot starts with an investigation of fingerprints of a man who has died during autoerotic asphyxiation, but the deceased's fingerprints mysteriously indicate a match to a North Carolinian who supposedly died in Vietnam in 1968. She takes off with her daughter to Hawaii (tough gig!) to seek the help of an old friend who works at the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), where the mission is to find the remains of American war dead and bring them home. There Tempe's co-worker/former main squeeze and his offspring join them on the island.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton
1st Floor McNaughton Collection
Review submitted by: Cheryl Highsmith, Coordinator of Electronic Resources & Serials, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended